The Inca of Perusalem TITLE OF SOURCE: AUTHOR'S NAME - FIRST: LAST: DESCRIPTION: Visual Text Shaw subtitles this one-act play "An Almost Historical Comedietta." Having fallen on hard times, Ermyntrude, widow of a millionaire, takes up a position with a Princess. A mysterious stranger claiming to represent the Inca of Perusalem arrives to visit the Princess, ostensibly to arrange a marriage between her and one of the Inca's sons. It is Ermyntrude, however, who really catches his eye ...<br>an excerpt:<br>ERMYNTRUDE [sternly]. Sit down, madam. [The Princess sits down forlornly. Ermyntrude turns imperiously to the Manager.] Her Highness will require this room for twenty minutes.<br><br>THE MANAGER. Twenty minutes!<br><br>ERMYNTRUDE. Yes: it will take fully that time to find a proper apartment in a respectable hotel.<br><br>THE MANAGER. I do not understand.<br><br>ERMYNTRUDE. You understand perfectly. How dare you offer Her Highness a room on the second floor?<br><br>THE MANAGER. But I have explained. The first floor is occupied. At least--<br><br>ERMYNTRUDE. Well? at least?<br><br>THE MANAGER. It is occupied.<br><br>ERMYNTRUDE. Don't you dare tell Her Highness a falsehood. It is not occupied. You are saving it up for the arrival of the five-fifteen express, from which you hope to pick up some fat armaments contractor who will drink all the bad champagne in your cellar at 5 francs a bottle, and pay twice over for everything because he is in the same hotel with Her Highness, and can boast of having turned her out of the best rooms.<br><br>THE MANAGER. But Her Highness was so gracious. I did not know that Her Highness was at all particular.<br><br>ERMYNTRUDE. And you take advantage of Her Highness's graciousness. You impose on her with your stories. You give her a room not fit for a dog. You send cold tea to her by a decayed professional person disguised as a waiter. But don't think you can trifle with me. I am a lady's maid; and I know the ladies' maids and valets of all the aristocracies of Europe and all the millionaires of America. When I expose your hotel as the second-rate little hole it is, not a soul above the rank of a curate with a large family will be seen entering it. I shake its dust off my feet. Order the luggage to be taken down at once.<br><br>THE MANAGER [appealing to the Princess]. Can Your Highness believe this of me? Have I had the misfortune to offend Your Highness?<br><br>THE PRINCESS. Oh no. I am quite satisfied. Please--<br><br>ERMYNTRUDE. Is Your Highness dissatisfied with me?<br><br>THE PRINCESS [intimidated]. Oh no: please don't think that. I only meant--<br><br>ERMYNTRUDE [to the manager]. You hear. Perhaps you think Her Highness is going to do the work of teaching you your place herself, instead of leaving it to her maid.<br> COMMENTS: Visual Text Promising premise. Is there enough plot and character to drive a musical? CANDIDATE FOR ADAPTATION?: --- not set --- Not reviewed Promising Unlikely SOURCE MATERIAL: Fable Novella Play Plot summary Short Story -- Parent -- GENRE: Comedy Comic Horror Detective Drama Fable Fairy Tale Fantasy Folklore Folktale Ghost Story Melodrama Mystery Myth Operetta Other Romance Suspense Young Audiences -- Parent -- SETTING: Africa America England Europe Fantasy International New Zealand Pastoral Rural Rustic Science Fiction -- Parent -- LENGTH FOR ADAPTATION: 10 Minutes 15 Minutes 30 Minutes 45 Minutes 60 Minutes 90 Minutes Two Hours -- Parent -- URL FOR PDF DOCUMENT: TheIncaofPerusalem.pdf
